Life with Derek (2005–2009) User Reviews

Out of the Mold

[bfried5 · 7/10 · 13 June 2007]

Two Disney Channel shows break the mold of typical Disney fare--that is it does not look canned, packaged, and wrapped in the same box (with many of the same actors (duh) and scripts).

Life With Derek breaks the Disney mold (as does Phil of the Future). The show has plausible situations, like step-siblings involved in sneaky plots, or real relationship troubles.

Life With Derek does not have the stars always winning, having fabulous careers at the age of 12, or moving into the White House. The stars aren't always in new clothes, the house isn't in perfect order (or in the best neighborhood) and the kids cry and complain like people in real life.

What bothers me about the Disney Channel is personified by such candy trash as High School Musical (or anything with Cordon Bleu). What I like about Disney is Derek and Phil.

The Venturi Bunch

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 25 June 2008]

Life With Derek is a Disney Channel show not produced at the Magic Kingdom. Instead it's a Canadian produced show that's been given a lot of exposure here because Disney picked it up. It borrows quite heavily from The Brady Bunch.

It's the story of a lovely lady who was busy raising two lovely girls. Ashley Leggatt and Jordan Todosey. The lovely lady is Joy Tanner and she married John Ralston who was busy with two boys of his own and a little daughter played by Michael Seater, Daniel Magdar, and Ariel Walker respectively. Like the Bradys the two families are now living as one and with that come the usual problems of adjustments.

Unlike the Brady Bunch where all of Florence Henderson's kids become Bradys, the MacDonalds have chosen not to surrender their MacDonald identity and become Venturis. Also the younger kids are clearly subordinate to the two older ones on whom the show is really based.

Ashley Leggatt is Casey MacDonald, a really sweet young girl who is the ideal daughter. She's both pretty and smart and yet she's got a lot of teen angst. Her mom remarrying is part of it, but the oldest Venturi sibling and his personality clash every episode with Leggatt.

Michael Seater is our title character Derek Venturi. He's most definitely not the all American kid Greg Brady. How could he be, he's Canadian. He's got a streak of Eddie Haskell in him and just delights in tormenting his stepsister. Casey's smart, but Derek is cunning, they seem pretty evenly matched. It sure isn't Greg and Marcia Brady.

This show proves one thing, the formula for situation comedies certainly doesn't vary outside America. Every now and then you'll hear a reference that will identify the characters as Canadian, but not too often. I guess it's why Disney picked up the show for the American market. Unless you count all the references to hockey as opposed to baseball or football as THE sport.

Life With Derek is a cute show and its Canadian origin makes it slightly different than the usual shows coming from the Disney Network. I particularly like Leggatt's character, I hope she's as nice in real life as she is as Casey MacDonald.

Pretty good

[alicia-angel92 · 7/10 · 18 August 2007]

This show is pretty good, better than some of the other stupid shows on Disney. Micheal seater (Derek) is awesome, and lizzie and edwin are so cute! The parents are funny. Marti is cute, annoying sometimes, but really cute. The only thing I don't like about the show is Casey, seriously, no offense to any Casey fans. All she does is complain about Derek, and how much she can't STAND him. Everyone needs to complain once in a while, but she overdoes it. And she expects everyone to have the same attitude as her, that annoying, everything-has-to-be-perfect attitude. Normally I hate it when the villain wins, but in this show, when Derek (the villain) wins, it's a good thing. Casey is suppose to be the good one and Derek is suppose to be the bad one, but i see it the opposite cuz i REALLY don't like Casey.

Overall, the show is good, besides that stupid background music and Casey. Worth watching, definitely.

I love this show!!

[missyclrs · 10/10 · 18 June 2006]

This is an awesome show. When i get home super tired, i make sure i stay awake to watch it. Derek is sooooo funny (and not to mention a very attractive guy). Casey is an awesome character as well. Edwin and Lizzie are good characters, and i think they should be put in more often. Marti is adorable and love how she says things without thinking them through (but then again little kids do speak the truth). I love how Casey got her parents room and the parents moved into the basement. Personally, if i were Casey i would have preferred the basement. I cant wait for new episodes!! This shoe really is awesome and everyone on it is very fortunate to be on. Ill keep watching, so long as the show continues to do the great job that it is doing so far!!

Great Show

[ac_fan00 · 17 January 2006]

This is a great show. I enjoy watching it on the weekends. Casey and Derek are hilarious. I'm glad the show was picked up. I hope it continues for a while longer. The cast is great too. Casey and Derek fight just like any other siblings I know of. I like the plot and how each kid is involved with the show. I give the show a ten. Good going everyone. I can't wait to see what else is in store for the family. This is a great brother and sister show, no matter what the age. Disney always seem to find a great show. It's a bit of a mixture of Lizzie McGuire and That's So Raven, which are also two popular Disney Channel shows. Keep it up!

It Started good...but the story lost the road

[tikin · 7/10 · 15 September 2010]

When this show started i really loved it!! I couldn't believe that a bad kids channel like Disney finally aired a decent TV show. It (at first) shows the story of two stepbrothers who live in the same house with their little brothers and parents... both teens are totally different... While Casey is mature and an excellent student, Derek is a problematic teen, bad student and really enjoys making hard the life of the others.

In the fist 2 seasons, the plot was basically that, and the situations were really well raised and exposed, at a point that the show was really enjoyable and gives "fresh air" between a lot of crappy Disney shows like Hanna Mamontana or Zazk and Coby, but then, when season 3 started everything changes... Casey was not anymore that shy and mature girl..she was starting to be obsessed with have a popular boyfriend (and she got one) and she turned popular and was even a cheerleader !!! The stories since then were loosing the way too, they made a lot of boring and uncreative episodes..at the pint that at the 4th and last season all episodes lost the original essence of the plot.

Even the end of the show was really ridiculous and forced.

Its sad that this show ended so bad but what can i say ???? Sometimes is happen.. Anyway... if you wanna watch this show, i recommend you just the 1st two seasons, the rest of seasons and episodes are like other TV series....

All the qualities of a great show!

[lilpuppyluv132 · 10/10 · 10 August 2006]

This is a great show with superb acting. Ashley Leggat(Casey) portrays her character wonderfully, and Michael Seater (Derek) is perfect for the role of a rebellious (and don't forget good-looking) teenager. Ariel Walker(Marty) is absolutely adorable, and is a natural for her role of Marty, a fussy young toddler. David Madger(Edwin) and Jordan Todosey (Lizzie), who act as secret allies in this show, look like they really enjoy playing their parts, and makes the show fun to watch. This is a great family show many people can relate too. Casey and Derek's constant fighting add a lot of laughs to this overall great show. I give Life With Derek two thumbs up!

all right

[coolbeans14741 · 6/10 · 4 November 2007]

it has its good attributes and clear flaws. while the show is a Disney channel show and therefore destined to be stupid, this one is not awful. perhaps its the whole Canadian thing, i like how it brings something new to the pathetic Disney channel. i don't like how Casey is so "perfect" though, and frowns upon those who aren't "perfect" like she thinks she is. she also complains way too much. Marti and Lizzie annoy me as well. Marti sucks at being cute, she is really just a pain in the ass. and the whole "smarti and smerek" concept is stupid. i don't think the guy who plays Derek is good at delivering his lines. however, they wanted a cute guy to play Derek, and the guy they picked, though there is not much talent, is fairly cute. but when he smiles, i want to vomit. his smile is seriously ugly and it makes him look like a perverted bastard. Edwin is OK, but i don't like how nasally his voice is. and the parents are jokes, both the acting and the writing. however, even though this show is not funny, it can still be somewhat entertaining, and there is not many shows about a blended family out there. so good job there. and although i haven't seen the show much, i've seen enough to know that over the seasons, they've changed Casey from a "perfect" brainy girl to a "perfect" somewhat popular girl, when they should have picked one or the other. the way they could improve Casey is to bring that guy Noel from the musical episode back, he seems like her type. life with Derek is OK to watch if there is nothing else on and you don't have a good book handy.

Wonderful, Simply Wonderful!

[dcl1994 · 10/10 · 10 December 2006]

I think this is my favorite show on Disney Channel. First off, they casted everyone PERFECTLY!Second, the characters are all cool. Derek is so lazy and careless its hilarious. Casey is so up tight that when she let's loose it's funny. Marti is so dang cute that you just want to pinch her cheeks. Edwin is always trying to be like Derek, so he is pretty funny. Lizzie is going through puberty crises ALL the time and it's funny to watch her be so clueless. The parents are always trying to act "cool" or "hip" and they are NOT! Anyways, this show is awesome. Just watch a few episodes...you'll be hooked!I give it a 10 out of a 10!!!!!

What a terrible show

[krizoitz · 1/10 · 21 May 2006]

Based on what little i have seen of this show I don't think I will ever watch it again. Its not even remotely believable and frankly the Derek character just makes me angry.

Sorry but seeing such a spoiled brat get his way time and again? Why would i want to watch that?!? No thanks, there are plenty of other shows that involve devious characters (Phil of the Future's Pim for example) where the evil one doesn't win or if they do not in the way they though.

Not to mention that I think this is a terrible picture to paint about living with step-siblings. Yes life isn't rosy but one could attempt to portray a character that wasn't outright evil and wins.

My suggestion is that you watch this only if you like seeing the villain win.

This show is really great!!

[horsecrazy8593 · 9/10 · 22 July 2006]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SHOW!!! My fave character has to be Lizzie! Jordan Todosey is an amazing actress and she does her character really well!! I also really like Ashley Leggat as Casey. I'd seen her on Darcy's Wild life a few times and she didn't get me too excited, but now I really like her as an actress! And Also, I have to mention that Daniel Magder is pretty cute as Derek, even though his character bugs me, he is a good actor. I watched this show only once and then I got hooked!! This show is super fun to watch, and great for the whole family. I can't get enough of Life with Derek, the conflict between the two teens is delicious to watch and usually has me clueless, wondering who will win next. I am recommending this to all my friends.

Irresponsibility All Around

[Srforests · 1/10 · 21 September 2008]

What ever happened to shows with united parental figures? The parents in this show are nearly as irresponsible as the children. Instead of punishing the youngest child for being manipulative, they let her get away with murder. They can't ever agree on a course of action when it comes to dealing with the children, and instead they do nothing. Yeah, great plan. Just ignore their behavior because they're "cute." This show tells the already manipulative preteens that watch it that the "divide and conquer" technique is the best way to get their parents to "cave." The oldest children are constantly running amok and getting themselves into all sorts of impossible situations, but there are no consequences for their actions. Yeah, great television all right.

life with derek-one of the better Disney shows!

[xxWHOAAdudex · 19 December 2005]

Life with derek is a great show, better then most shows played on Disney channel. Before this show started to air, i had a feeling i would love it, because a great actor, one of my favorites, is on it, Michael Seater. Casey's craziness makes the show what it is, as well as Derek being mean and always getting his way.Ashley Leggat is a very talented actor who can really play her character well. Another character on this show that i like is Sam who is played by Kit Weyman. If you have seen the episode babe raiders, his character starts to play out better in this show. The show has comedy, some drama, and is just a great show. I really do enjoy watching this show on the weekends. Overall, this is a show that you can watch alone, with family, and with friends, and you can really enjoy it.

Life with Derek

[Eishael95 · 9/10 · 6 November 2006]

I want to talk a little about Life with Derek, surely it isn't really much of a comedy but it really had good roles, this show talks about how life goes on, for example two teenagers, Casey, a mature-minded teenager and Derek, a rebellious teenager are totally different I go with Casey mostly because all her roles give a lot of good information, sometimes, and Casey and Sam make a great couple, don't u think. I sometimes go with Derek on some things. 1. Clever 2. Pranky 3. Rebellious I am these things, but I go serious sometimes, Casey gets tired of stuff that Derek does sometimes like I do with my younger sister, she is Derek and I am Casey In the house.

Refreshing

[FLgalNco · 10/10 · 18 July 2006]

A religious Disney Channel watcher, I'm pleased to see something as refreshing as this show hit the air. The only other show on Disney I feel, that's this honest, is Boy Meets World & that's on at 3am. Life With Derek is refreshingly honest in it's themes & performances. While as Disney shows are made kid friendly, Phil of The Future, That's So Raven, & The Suit Life of Zach & Cody to name a few, Life With Derek manages to be equally kid friendly but more realistic, more relate-able for young audiences. About a teen-aged girl named Casey & her little sister Lizzie whose mom re-marries & the 3 of them move into their Stepdads home whom happens to have 3 kids of his own. A teenage son, Derek, & his two younger siblings Edwin & Marty. The show brings to the screen themes of divorced parents, changes, sibling rivalry, high school issues, & family matters & values. And though the themes are slightly sugar coded, they are far less so then in any other Disney shows. I personally find the show inspiring, funny, honest, & entertaining. The cast is superb, especially the young miss who plays Marty, by far & away the most realistic toddler I've ever seen on TV.

Cool Show!

[kaylak1 · 9/10 · 30 May 2006]

This show is really cool, and my uncle works for it!! his name is Shane Kinnear.

Well this show is really cool but some of the actresses bug me a little. but thats all. each episode is different and they all have cool story lines and I'm glad that this show does not have unrealistic perfect characters, they are all so normal and realistic, OK well watch the show!! I love to watch it and cant wait for the new season, but the only bad thing is is that the channel i watch only has it Friday nights at 7:00 pm and I'm always out on Friday

Well i luv it bye

So long to family values!

[theeclipse-2 · 2/10 · 17 February 2007]

Everything about this show is grating on me. You have the parents, who are irresponsible, self-centered yuppies who are so proteanly useless that that show actually makes story lines around their total ineptitude as parents. I know that it's become clichéd as hell to make wisecracking, obnoxious anti-authoritarian kids in sitcoms, but Derek is so over the top that it is completely unbelievable. My first time watching this show I was absolutely repulsed, I was sure that at the end of that episode that what Derek really needs is to be backhanded from time to time. However, the show seems to be all about not having to take responsibility for your actions - Derek consistently gets away with anything he wants, disobeys his father and stepmother on a whim and is never punished for his actions. This is not surprising, seeing the waste of life that their parents are.

This show is totally void of anything remotely resembling family values, I wouldn't even consider allowing my kids to watch it.

about the show

[angeelalala · 10/10 · 10 July 2006]

i love watching this show also. the fact that two families moving in together because their parents got remarried to each other may seem normal. but casey and derek puts a lot of twists to it which makes this show hilarious. casey is a girl who isn't afraid to speak her mind, while derek is a guy whos quite the rebel. and they both are always at it with each other. its really funny though. they show it every weekend but i wished they showed it more often.

i give this show a 10 out of 10. its unique, you never know whats going to happen. but its a great comedy for all familys at the same time. if you ever get the chance you should watch it too and see for yourself.

Not that appealing.

[laurakay76 · 4/10 · 8 March 2007]

I tried to give this show a chance, but it really doesn't sit well with me. Although the performances are good, the writing isn't. The two oldest step-siblings, Derek and Casey, are equally annoying; I get the impression that we're supposed to side with Casey, given that she's the protagonist, but I don't find her at all likable. The parents are continually portrayed as utterly clueless. The three younger children are the most watchable things on the show; Lizzie and Edwin are sweet the way they team up, and Marti is adorable. The plot lines are a bit far-fetched and the whole premise is mostly hard to swallow -- blended families are common, yes, but this family isn't really trying all that hard to blend. On the whole, I think it grades thumbs-down.

An Above-Average Family Show

[kingpigeon · 12 December 2005]

The United States is famously suspicious of its quiet neighbors to the north. So I'm particularly pleased that Disney is distributing "Life With Derek" in the U.S. The show is well-written, well-acted, and clever (in other words, expect a speedy cancellation). Step-siblings Casey and Derek are excellently portrayed as well-rounded teenagers capable of doing both good and evil (while still remaining consistent and in character). While it would be impossible to expect a family program to capture the savageness that characterizes real adolescent life, the show goes a good deal further than most, displaying welcome flashes of mean-spirited fun in its portrayal of siblings maneuvering for the upper hand against one another. If we're going to blame Canada, it's only fair to also give them credit when credit is due.

I love this show

[caileemae21 · 10/10 · 28 May 2006]

I just woke up and wanted to watch something on TV that I didn't have to really get into, I started to flip channels until I came across something worth watching and thats when I came across "Life with Derek" it was the main character, Derek (Michael Seater) who drew me into watching the show. Not only is he pleasing to the eye but unlike many Disney shows, hes actually a phenomenal actor. The way he interacts with Marti is just so adorable. You can see in the way he picks her up and throws her around that he really loves her. Casey in the show (Ashley Leggat) is also a very good actor, so are the other younger siblings, Edwin and Lizzie. I like Casey, but I often feel that she doesn't belong in the family. Everyone is so laid back while she is very stuck up and is out to change the world. (my opinions of course) She does add some change to the show, she makes the family a bit more balanced because she is very smart and and wants to do well in life. Well to end this comment, I would just like to add that I have tivo'ed all the episodes because it really is a good show. I usually don't like Disney channel TV shows because they are very babyish and don't deal with realistic problems in the world, but this show is very relatable and they behave like a real family. I suggest that you check out the show, i'm sure you'll fall in love like the rest of us have.

My favorite show!

[trillionare12 · 10/10 · 27 September 2008]

Life with Derek is by far the best show on Disney Channel! All of the cast does a wonderful job, especially the roles of Edward and Lizzy, the two "middle children" who are always trying to make their mark. Ashley L. does a great job of playing Casey, the serious older stepsister, and they couldn't of chosen anyone better than Micheal Seat Er to play Derek. The youngest child, Marty, does a great job and will be seen in more movies as she gets older for sure. The actor and actress who play Nora and George are great too. They usually deliver the lesson but get a good joke in here and there.

I recommend this show to anyone, no matter WHAT age you will love it!

Great teenage show from Disney

[threeball · 10/10 · 12 August 2007]

One thing to keep in mind is that Life with Derek is not your typical G-rated Disney show. The show is simple enough for someone under the age of 10 to watch, but a great portion of the show could only fully be understood by ages 10 in up in my opinion. I would call Life with Derek the perfect show for teenagers. Myself being 20, I love the show as well.

My favorite reason being how hilarious the constant cat and mouse chase between Derek and Casey is in every episode. Derek always seems to be one step ahead of Casey, no matter what. Every time you think Casey has done something to pull ahead of Derek, Derek strikes back with another ace up his sleeve. Most of the time the episode ends with the two on even grounds, but that is not always the case.

Though Derek and Casey are the two main characters of the show, they couldn't do it without a terrific supporting cast. The parents, George and Nora are perfect. The two parents are different personality wise, as George seems to be like Derek: Carefree, relaxed and loose. Nora, on the other hand, is like Casey: Serious, determined and plays by the rules.

The other kids in the household complete the family tree in nothing short of spectacular fashion. Edwin and Lizzie are two similar aged kids, and though Edwin is a boy and Lizzie is a girl, Edwin is the wuss and Lizzie is the tough one. Edwin doesn't quite have the carefree personality as Derek (yet). Lizzie has a tough-girl personality that Casey could only dream of. And who could forget Marti, every families typical obnoxious yet cute youngest child.

In conclusion, Life with Derek is a high quality effort like most of Disney's non-animated shows. I am glad Disney picked this up, as each episode is an entertaining circus that sucks you in.

Blame Canada?

[DocNoleCat · 1/10 · 12 July 2008]

It is really a shame that IMDb doesn't let you give negative votes. This is the most hideously awful show ever foisted on the American public by our usually-likable neighbors to the north. The parents are a troglodyte and a neurotic hag. He is as charming as a well-used fire hydrant, with the same hygiene standards. She is a wax museum mannequin programmed with more neuroses than the entire cast of THE VIEW. The kids are non-entities if female and repulsive beyond belief if male, especially the title character. The boy is a serious contender for most insanely smug, self-satisfied, arrogant, and vain male character on Disney, which is saying something. This show was obviously conceived as the anti-BRADY BUNCH, but it comes off as the anti-Christ. And why is the photography so dark?

Classic Disney Channel

[zackdalame-33728 · 10/10 · 2 June 2018]

Back when the Disney Channel had good shows like The Weekenders and Kim Possible, they also had shows like this inbetween them. What really makes me remember this one more is that unlike every disney channel live action show, this one didn't have a laugh track AND it was still funny! If anyones going on a nostalgic Disney Channel binge, definitely add this to your watchlist.